Fence-wire-stretching device



-NoMod1.)

( J. STEVENS & A. CASE.

PENGE WIRE STRETGHING DEVICE.

No. 514,288. Patented Feb. 6, 1894.

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1 UNITED STATES ATENT 'LFFrQEQ JAMES STEVENS AND AMOS CASE, OF PERRY, IOW'A.

FENCE-WlRE-STRETCHING DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 514,288, dated February 6, 1894.

Application filed October'18, 1893. Serial No.488,466. (No model.)

' description of the invention,which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

Our invention relates to improvements in.

means for stretching fence wires, either barb or smooth, and its object is to provide a novel device for such purpose which shall possess superior ad vantages with respect to efficiency in operation.

The invention consists in the novel construction and combination of parts hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is an elevation of a fence wire stretcher constructed in accordance with our invention. Fig. 2 is a plan View of the brace arms showing the fence post and stretcher standard in section. Fig. 3 is a similar View of the windlass and grip. Fig. 4. is a detail view of the gri In the saiddrawings, the reference numeral 1 designates the fence post, and 2 the wires.

The numeral 3 designates a standard, preferably made of one inch gas pipe, having a pointed end, and a circular foot-plate 4, secured near its lower-end by which it may be forced into the ground by pressure of the foot on said plate. This standard is provided with a vertically movable collar 5,

which is held in place by means of a set-screw 6. The sleeve is formed or provided with two laterallyprojecting studs 7 having ribs 8. These studs and ribs pass through corresponding slots in the ends of brace-arms 9, which are formed with a quarter twist and cross each other near the center. These arms pass by the post and their free ends are connected together by a chain 10. They are provided with nuts 12, through which pass pointed screwerods 13, having their outer ends bent at right angles forming handles 14. They are also provided with brace-rods 15, which have each end bent at an angle. One of these ends is loosely riveted to the arm, while the other is screw-threaded and secured thereto by means of a nut 16. Also mounted on the standard 3 is a vertically movable sleeve 17 provided with a set screw 18, by which it may be held in any position to which it is adj usted. This screw is provided or formed with two arms 19 on which is journaled the shaft 20, of a Windlass 21. One end of this shaft is provided with a ratchet wheel 23, with which engages a pivoted pawl 24, while its other end is provided with a crank 24*. Secured to this Windlass is a rope 25 carrying at its free end a block 26 provided on one face with lugs 27, one of which is formed with V-shaped teeth or serrations 28. The other lug is provided with a screw-threaded aperture through which passes a screw-rod 29 con-. nected with a movable plate 30 havinga series of teeth or serrations similar to those of said lug. These parts form a grip for holding the wire. Secured to the sleeve 17'is a plate or block 31 also provided with lugs 27", a screw-rod 29 and a movable plate 30 'provided with teeth or serrations. This grip is substantially the same in all respects as the grip first-above described.

The operation is as follows: The standard is driven into the ground at a proper distance from the fence post, so that the ends of the crossed arms will engage with the sides thereof. The chain is now engaged with said ends and the pointed screws forced into the posts. By this means the standard is securely braced. The wire to be stretched is now-engaged between the serrated lug and the ser rated plate, which latter, by means of the screw-rod, securely clamps the wire between it and said lug. By now operating the windlass, the rope to which the grip is secured is wound thereon, and the wire stretched.

The grip on the sleeve is to be used for mending broken wires. In this case, one end of the broken strand is securely clamped between the serrated lug and the plate, and the other end of the other strand engaged with the other grip. This wire is now stretched as before explained, so that the ends of the two strands can be brought together and secured.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim is- 1. In a fence wire stretching device, the combination with the standard, the adjustable collar, the crossed brace-arms, the chains for connecting the free ends thereof, and the pointed screw-rods, of the slidable sleeve, the Windlass connected thereto, the rope and the grip, substantially as described.

2. In a fence wire stretching device, the combination with the standard, the adjustable collar, the crossed brace-arms, the chain connecting the free ends thereof, the pointed screw-rods, and the brace-rods connected with said arms, of the gripping and stretchingdevices, substantially as described.

3. In a fence wire stretching device, the combination with the standard, the vertically adjustable collar, the crossed brace arms, the chain connecting the free ends thereof, the pointed screw rods and the brace rods connected with said arms, of the vertically adjustable sleeve the stationary grip secured to said sleeve, the arms formed with said sleeve, the Windlass journaled thereon, the rope and the movable grip secured to said rope, substantially as described.

In testimony that we claim the foregoing as our own we have hereunto aifixed our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES STEVENS. AMOS CASE. \Vitnesses:

EDMUND NICHOLS, DANA A. PRIOR. 

